Passport & Visas
Although U.S. and Canadian citizens can enter Mexico with an original birth certificate (or certified copy) and photo identification, a passport is highly recommended as this avoids delays that other documents may present.  A visa is not required for citizens of the U.S., Canada, European Union countries, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.  As regulations change, be sure to check on current entry requirements with a Mexican consulate or tourist office well ahead of your departure date.  Also, in case of loss, it is advisable to keep copies of all important documents in a separate location from originals.  Provide copies as well to family or friends. 

Tourist Card
Visitors to Mexico by air travel are required to complete a Mexican Tourist Card, provided during the flight.  Upon arrival, this card is submitted to an immigration official and states the allowable length of stay.  If you intend to stay longer than 30 days, fill-in the appropriate section otherwise you will be granted the typical 30 day period for arrivals at Cancun and other airports in the Yucatan.  Depending on your citizenship, tourist cards are normally valid for a maximum of 6 months.  Mexican law requires that you to carry a tourist card at all time.  When you leave the country, the card is collected at immigration.    

Embassies and Consulates in Cancun     
Consulates in general can assist with lost passports, provide travel warnings and help if you have a medical or legal emergency.  The consulates will not make travel reservations or fly you home. 

USA
US Embassy
Plaza Caracol II, 2nd. Floor, No. 320-323
Blvd. Kukulkan, Km. 8.5
Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone)
77500 Cancun, Quintana Roo
Tel: (998) 883-0272    
Fax (998) 883-1373
E-Mail: uscons@prodigy.net.mx

Canada 
Consulate of Canada
Plaza Caracol II, 3^rd Floor, No. 330
Blvd. Kukulkan Km 8.5
Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone)
77500 Cancun, Quintana Roo
Tel:   (998) 883-3360
Fax:  (998) 883-3232
Email:  cancun@canada.org.mx

UK 
British Consulate
The Royal Sands
Blvd. Kukulkan Km. 13.5
Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone)
77500 Cancun, Quintana Roo
Tel: (998) 881 0100
Fax: (998) 848 8229
Email: information@britishconsulatecancun.com

Currency
Mexico’s currency is the nuevo peso (new peso) commonly referred simply as the peso.  Of note is that the peso is designated by several symbols, including most commonly $, N$, NP, and MN.  For convenience (or confuse shoppers more) goods are often also listed in US dollars.  Like the peso, US dollars are written in varies ways, typically however the US symbol precedes the price of the merchandise.  Peso bills are available in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500; coins in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50; plus 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos.

Money to Bring
For convenience, you should bring pesos as Mexican money assures acceptance anywhere.  Credit cards, traveler’s checks and non-Mexican money are often not accepted at small businesses.  The balance of your money however should include US traveler’s checks as well as debit and credit cards.  Traveler’s checks and money can be exchanged in banks or money exchange kiosk called casa de cambio found throughout the region including small towns. 

Debit and Credit Cards 
Most banks have automated teller machines (ATMs) that operate on the Cirrus and Plus networks to allow travelers to access funds with a bank debit card as they do at home.  Money can usually be received in pesos or US dollars.  Although there is a transaction fee, commissions paid to exchange money or cash traveler’s checks are avoided, and the exchange rate is normally good.  Debit cards also lessen the need for traveler’s checks.  In general, major credit cards like Visa and Master Card are accepted at most tourist related businesses such as car rentals, hotels, restaurants and popular attractions.  Credit cards can also be used to withdraw money at ATMs or banks.  Hotels also usually require a credit card as a security deposit or to charge additional expenses visitors incur. 

Tipping and Sales Tax
Like elsewhere is the world, tipping is voluntary.  Tips of 3 – 10 pesos are common for hotel porters and maids.  Gas station attendants are not normally tipped for fueling cars, if however they perform additional services like adding oil or air to tires, a few pesos is appropriate.   Likewise, taxi drivers do not expect tips unless they go out of their way to help with luggage or offer very helpful information.  Restaurants often include a 10% service charge to the bill, in which case a tip is not required.  If the service gratuity is not included in the price, a tip of 10% - 15% is the common amount.  Most items sold in Mexico have a "value added tax" or sales tax of 10%, known as “impuesto de valor agregado” (IVA), that is additional to the posted price.  On menus it is often written as “IVA incluido”.  It is itemized separately on your receipt.  

As calls from hotels typically incur a service charge, the least expensive way to communicate by telephone for domestic and international calls is usually with a phone card used at public phones.

Public Pay Phones  
To make local and international calls, purchase a Ladatel phone card.  These cards are used in Telmex public phones (labeled Ladatel) which are located at most main street corners and high-traffic areas.   

To Call From Mexico
Local calls: dial local number
Long distance within Mexico:  dial 01 + area code + local number
To North America:  dial 001 + area code + local number
To other countries:  dial 00 + country code + area code + local number

For Operator Assistance:
Within Mexico: dial 02
International calls: dial 090
Local calls: dial 9
Directory information: dial 040

To Call Mexico
From North America:  dial 011-52 + area code + local number
From other countries: dial home country international prefix +52 + area code + local number

Internet
Internet and email services are available throughout the region at Internet cafes, which are found in most towns and large hotels.

Medical treatment for minor ailments is relatively inexpensive in Mexico.  The region has modern medical services and good hospitals.  Also, most major hotels have U.S. trained doctors available on call, as well as a drug store for pharmaceuticals.  Any prescription medicine or needles carried by visitors need to be identified and described by leaflet or doctor’s letter.  Be sure to have your doctor write the generic name of any medication you are taking - or may need - so you can get the Mexican equivalent.  Medication prices are reasonable with some drugs considerably cheaper than at home.  For any medication you buy at a pharmacy, double check it is correct and that the expiration date is valid.  Significant illness or injuries may be best treated at a private hospital or out of the country.  Travel smart by buying a comprehensive medical plan to cover such expenses. 

Other Emergency Services:

Emergency Medical, Police or Fire: dial 060 (local call similar to 911 in North America)

Cruz Roja (Red Cross) Tel: (984) 873-1233.  Playa del Carmen

Air Ambulance   Tel: 800-305-9400, toll free within Mexico.

Los Angeles Verdes (24-hour emergency car assistance) Tel: 800-90392, toll free within Mexico

Driving
To drive in Mexico, you only require a valid driver’s license from your home country.  Highway 307, which runs along the coast, is in good condition.  Roads off the highway to attractions and beaches vary in shape and may be paved, gravel or dirt.   Should you have car trouble or an accident, get off to the side of the road, raise the vehicle’s hood, and wait for assistance.  If you have a rental car, call the agency for their assistance.  Otherwise you can expect help from other drivers, or the Los Angeles Verdes (Green Angels), English-speaking government mechanics who patrol main roads.  Except for gas and parts, their services are free and operate 24-hours (Tel: 800-90392). 

Electricity
Electricity operates like in North America with 110 volts, 60 cycles.  Plugs have flat pins, however, not all outlets accommodate polarized and three-prong plugs.  Also, dual-voltage appliances and laptops may require an adaptor.   

Sunscreen and Repellent
To avoid sunburn, protect your skin with sunscreen that has a minimum protection factor of 20.  Children need higher levels of protection, as their skin is more sensitive.  Be sure to use a product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.  Consult with a pharmacist if you have questions on sunscreens.  Please note in order to eliminate pollution of waters, only biodegradable sunscreens are allowed at most of the lagoon parks.  These special dual-protection lotions can be purchased at the parks, as well as at most souvenir stores in major hotels.  If you will be hiking in the jungle during the summer, bring a good insect repellent; otherwise you’ll be lunch for mosquitoes.            
   

Email This Page